Nouns: Common and Proper — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the correct answer for each question.
1. Which word is a common noun?
A) jump
B) teacher
C) blue
D) slowly
'Teacher' is a common noun because it names any teacher in general. Common nouns name any person, place, or thing without being specific.
2. Which word is a proper noun?
A) city
B) park
C) Monday
D) ball
'Monday' is a proper noun because it is the specific name of one day of the week. Days of the week are always proper nouns and are capitalized.
3. Which sentence has the proper noun written correctly?
A) We go to elm street school.
B) We go to Elm Street School.
C) We go to elm Street school.
D) we go to elm street school.
This sentence correctly capitalizes 'Elm Street School' as a proper noun — it is the specific name of one school. All parts of the name start with a capital letter.
4. What type of noun is 'February'?
A) common noun
B) proper noun
C) action word
D) describing word
'February' is a proper noun because it is the specific name of one month of the year. Months are always proper nouns and start with a capital letter.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word on the line.
1. The word 'mountain' is a common noun; 'Mount Everest' is a proper noun.
'Mountain' alone is a common noun, but 'Mount Everest' is a proper noun because it is the specific name of one famous mountain.
2. In 'My friend Emma plays soccer,' the proper noun is Emma.
In 'My friend Emma plays soccer,' the proper noun is 'Emma' because it is the specific name of one person. 'Friend' is the common noun.
3. The word 'country' is a common noun.
The word 'country' names any country in general. Because it does not name one specific country, it is a common noun.
4. Days of the week like Wednesday are proper nouns.
Days of the week like Wednesday are proper nouns because each day has a specific name that always begins with a capital letter.
5. In 'We visited the Lincoln Memorial,' the proper noun is Lincoln Memorial.
'Lincoln Memorial' is the specific name of one famous monument in Washington, D.C., making it a proper noun. 'Memorial' alone would be a common noun.